April 8, 2006

SAN DIEGO - Despite a strong tide and headwind, the San Diego State women's rowing team left most of the competition in its wake Saturday morning at the San Diego City Championships, held at Tecolote Channel on Mission Bay. The Aztecs closed out their last home regatta of the season in dominant fashion, capturing four of five races by a winning margin of no less than 12.8 seconds.

"I was very happy with our performances today," said SDSU head coach Jennifer Zebroski. "We had to shuffle our lineups this week because of some injuries, but everyone really stepped up today. We were able to create some big gaps between the other boats and I was very pleased to see that. The varsity eight raced exceptionally well. Despite the changes, the girls really connected with each other and were able to get into a good rhythm."

Among the many highlights for the Aztecs was an impressive victory by the varsity eight boat, which crossed the finish line with a winning time of 7:26.3, comfortably ahead of cross-town rivals San Diego (7:39.1) and UC San Diego (7:47.2). The revamped crew, consisting of consisting of Caitlynn Crouch (coxswain), Amanda Briggs (stroke), Nancy Balt (seven), Mia Lysen (six), Mary Von Urff (five), Julie Boerger (four), Robin Lauber (three), Katie Heisinger (two) and Tashina Vavuris (bow), reclaimed the city championship from USD, which won the event in 2004. Last year's competition was cancelled due to inclement weather.

SDSU enjoyed decisive wins in three other events as well. In the junior varsity eight race, the Aztecs' `A' boat clocked in with a time of 7:28.9, over 16 seconds in front of second-place San Diego (7:45.1). The scarlet and black also emerged triumphant in the varsity four category with a time of 8:52.2, ahead of UCSD (9:08.1) and USD (9:34.3).

Meanwhile, the novice four boat provided SDSU's most lopsided victory of the day, routing the Triton and Torero entries by nearly 37 and 58 seconds, respectively. The Aztecs were denied in their bid for a clean sweep, however, when UCSD prevailed in the novice eight competition.

SDSU will have two weeks off before traveling to Marina Del Rey, Calif., for the 31st Annual Miller Cup Regatta on April 23, at La Balonia Creek.

San Diego City Championships
Tecolote Channel--Mission Bay
(Women's results only--All races 2,000 meters)

Junior Varsity Eight
1. SDSU `A' (7:28.9); 2. USD (7:45.1); 3. SDSU `B' (8:00.2).

Varsity Eight
1. SDSU (7:26.3); 2. USD (7:39.1); 3. UCSD (7:47.2).

Novice Eight
1. UCSD `A' (7:35.4); 2. SDSU (7:46.1); 3. UCSD `B' (8:44.2).

Varsity Four
1. SDSU (8:53.2); 2. UCSD (9:08.1); 3. USD (9:34.3).

Novice Four
1. SDSU (8:54.2); 2. UCSD (9:30.9); 3. USD (9:52.6).

San Diego City Championships Lineups

Varsity Eight
Cox: Caitlynn Crouch
Stroke: Amanda Briggs
Seven: Nancy Balt
Six: Mia Lysen
Five: Mary Von Urff
Four: Julie Boerger
Three: Robin Lauber
Two: Katie Heisinger
Bow: Tashina Vavuris

Junior Varsity Eight `A'
Cox: Raelyn Drury
Stroke: Allison Hardin
Seven: Audrey Edney
Six: Caitlin Weber
Five: Kim Dale
Four: Kaitlin Drake
Three: Christine Dickson
Two: Kaitlin Farnham
Bow: Korina Tonne

Junior Varsity Eight `B'
Cox: Aileen Gonzales
Stroke: Amanda Bremseth
Seven: Taylor Weirick
Six: Jessica Hays
Five: Rachael Brockett
Four: Erika Blair
Three: Taryn Hodges
Two: Kelly Rutherford
Bow: Katie Murray

Novice Eight
Cox: Claire O'Connor
Stroke: Christy Barni
Seven: Asha Aker
Six: Natalie Keshlear
Five: Caroline Yeatman
Four: Sara Wilkinson
Three: Carey McColl
Two: Candyce Martinez
Bow: Kelley Stewart

Varsity Four
Cox: Aileen Gonzales
Stroke: Amanda Bremseth
Three: Taylor Weirick
Two: Jessica Hays
Bow: Katie Murray

Novice Four
Cox: Caitlynn Crouch
Stroke: Allison Hardin
Three: Robin Lauber
Two: Kaitlin Farnham
Bow: Mary Von Urff